Franklin Elementary School alumni got to revisit their alma mater and reminisce with their fellow classmates and teachers at a special ceremony on Saturday.

Franklin paraprofessional Brenda Eckley, along with fellow workers and alumni, put together a series of special get-togethers for former students to meet with their old friends and instructors, check out the school building, and get a peak at the contents of the time capsule that was buried on the premises in 1955.

Students from 1955-69 were invited to Saturday’s event.

“I just wanted to make it nice and homey for everyone to get together and chat with their old teachers,” Eckley said.

“It makes it more personable, and it really worked, because these people were really thrilled to see their old teachers.”

Eckley, along with Nan Cressley and other volunteers, had to pore through a network of email lists, social media accounts and more to get in touch with former students, staff and teachers, though Eckley said the work was well worth it.

During the event, the contents of the 1955 time capsule, dug up by Franklin employee Willis Hough last Monday, were put on display. The box contained a number of historical items, including a program from the cornerstone laying ceremony in 1955, a Bible, a 1954 penny and dime, a tithing token and list of students and teachers.

Faye Dotter was part of that first class of students from 1955. Browsing the contents of the recently opened time capsule with her husband, Lamont, she recalled the early days of Franklin Elementary, and how it had changed over the years.

“It was a great experience to see all of the improvements. This was a great school. I remember when it opened, when it was all brand-new. A lot of good memories,” Dotter said.

Dern Sharbaugh, who taught sixth grade at the school for 26 years starting in 1967, came out to meet with some of his former students and colleagues.

“It was great talking to them, hearing about what they have done in their lives, their accomplishments,” Sharbaugh said.

Sharbaugh has a bit of a lineage at the school, as his great-niece, Angela Harris, is the current librarian.

“It’s really cool, because I was a history major at college. I’m a social psych teacher, but now I’m a librarian, and to see that, full circle, it’s really cool to be with him here,” Harris said.

“I’ve lived in Lehighton my whole life, but I didn’t go here. A lot of the people I’ve dealt with in the community were here today, and it’s cool to make those connections with different people.”

Just about everyone had a smile on as they spoke of the early days at Franklin, recalling fond memories of school events, friends and fun times.

“We had a family feeling here at Franklin. It was a really good atmosphere for the teachers and the students,” third-grade teacher Mary Mulligan, who was at the school from 1963-2000, said.

Eileen Sowden, who taught second grade from 1964-2004, had a wonderful time reconnecting with her students and catching up.

“It’s a good feeling. It’s a happy feeling when you can remember them, and the good times you had,” she said.

While it was a joyous occasion all around, Franklin Elementary will close its doors permanently at the end of the school year.

Three other events will be held throughout May and June, culminating on June 6, the evening before the last day of school, where students and staff members will release of 63 Chinese lanterns, one for each year the school was open, into the sky.

“I wanted to make it really special for these people, and it really made my day. Some of them were in their 70s, and they were so thrilled to come back and see the school,” Eckley said.